Towing Car Stuck in Ditch

pablontx · February 7, 2005

We drive a couple times a year to some remote locations in Colorado. Although I tip my hat to the state for doing an excellent job with the roads, everyonce in a while you'll see a F/2WD car stuck on the side of the road. Some of the roads we have to travel on don't see a lot of traffic so for our next trip we got a 30k lb. tow-strap to help out someone in a remote section.

Here's what I'm still curious about. I've got one of the kinetic tow straps and know how to hook up on my hitch and go fwd (thanks to another post), but if I don't use a hook and just the loop, where do I hook onto the 2WD vehicle that's stuck? Do all cars have some sort of emergency hooks on them?

Also, on another posting it seemed to indicate pulling a car back onto the road is a fairly easy tow. Just want to make sure what I'm getting myself into. Wouldn't want to end up on the side of the road looking down a cliff! ;) Does it matter if the car is just spinning but on all 4 vs. bottomed out and only on 2?

FWIW, plan on having several 50 gal bucks full of sand (or a large ice chest w/ sand) in the bed on this trip. Drive an '03 1500 HD Crew 4x4.

Thanks for any pointers!

elgineddie · February 7, 2005

I have seen small anchor points on almost all cars I've crawled under, but you'll need a hook of some sort to attach to them since they aren't open hooks but closed hoops. I once tried to pull a sports car out of the snow but only had my tow stap with the loops at both ends. We weaved it thru their anchor point and when I pulled him out, that loop got sooooo tight, it was impossible to get it off! I told him he got a free strap with the deal! Then I went to Sams Club and bought another strap.

So go buy a hook/clevice combo for situations like that!

Glad to see you're taking the Good Samaritan thing seriously!

citydriver · February 7, 2005

Along with my tow straps, I also carry a 4' length of high tensle chain with a hook on one end and a clevis on the other. I use the chain to hook to a solid point on the undercarage of the vehicle I'm pulling out and l loop the other end through the loop on the strap. Then I pull it out through the tracks they made when they went off the road,if possible. Cars usually do not have hooks so you need to find a point on the undercarage that wont bend or tear, that in my opinion is the trickiest part.

NEVER use a bumper support on a car to tow it. Also keep in mind that there are alot of SUE-HAPPY people out there just waiting to claim that you damaged their car while trying to pull it out Somtimes it's just better to let them use your cell phone to call the Highway Patrol or for a tow truck

Wingnut · February 7, 2005

I just bought a 4" shackle and eye-bolt when I bought my strap. Problem solved.

/$0.02

Beer Belly · February 7, 2005

I know I'll probably get for this, but you also might want to carry a Waiver for them to sign in case you damage something while trying to do a good deed....I've heard of folks questioning if the pull out the ditch damaged the car or the drive into the ditch.

Taaaaaaahoe? · February 7, 2005

This reminds me of that video w/ the kid towing some POS Geo out of the snow filled drive...and off with his bumper! HA HA!

Guys, maybe i'm solo on this one, but Chains and hoolks are deadly in situations like this. The 2 hoop deal works..and a little trick.. If you roll up a magazine and stick it in between the area where you have pulled the one loop through the other. It will prevent it from becoming too tight where you cant get the strap off. Those straps work great. Leave a few feet of slack, get a little momentum. When your truck stops the strap will want to 'snatch' back, and it will yank the car out!

Just PLEASE be carefull with hooks / shackles etc. I have done a LOT of towing and stuff with my last cars. All jeeps...Did PLENTY of 4x4 trails, lots of stuff like this. and have seen too many chains / hooks flying...through hoods, windcheilds etc.

Mike

Taaaaaaahoe? · February 7, 2005

I know I'll probably get for this, but you also might want to carry a Waiver for them to sign in case you damage something while trying to do a good deed....I've heard of folks questioning if the pull out the ditch damaged the car or the drive into the ditch.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sad but true,

so many people out there. Your trying to be an awesome person to help out then as soon as ya mess something up...they get all bent out of shape.

One way of maybe eliminating this is.. I would always say, okay. Here is my strap YOU connect it to your car.

Mike

Scyry · February 7, 2005

When I pull someone out that I don't know. I make them hook their car up, they hook it wrong it is not my fault. I do give them some suggestions though, especially if they are going for a bad spot. I paid for my trip from Denver to Southern Cal a few years back just helping people out, was atleast 6" of snow sitting on I-70. Never asked for money but people wouldn't take no for answer. I had a line of 6 cars follow me from Salina to Green River. After helping people out they would follow me and help others out when I stopped. Most said they didn't want to take the chance of getting stuck again without me. It was nice to see others hepling each other out.

On a side note, I picked up one of those adjustable drop hitches, never put a ball into, insteaded got a big cleaves (think 4") and hooked it up through the hole for the ball. I drop it down as low as I can when pulling cars. That way you are pulling from a low point and there is less of a chance for the strap to go up and push something on the car around.

Taaaaaaahoe? · February 8, 2005

On a side note, I picked up one of those adjustable drop hitches, never put a ball into, insteaded got a big cleaves (think 4") and hooked it up through the hole for the ball. I drop it down as low as I can when pulling cars. That way you are pulling from a low point and there is less of a chance for the strap to go up and push something on the car around.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not a bad idea, will also keep the strap lower on any low plastic bumpers. I just always put the strap in the reciever and threw the pin back in. Cheep, no extra metal parts etc.

Everone has their own method!

Taaaaaaahoe? · February 8, 2005

just for fun

Mine was the Red jeep doing the towing..

Beer Belly · February 8, 2005

Looks like that Jeep in the bottom photo is about to roll over, what was the outcome ?

Taaaaaaahoe? · February 8, 2005

Looks like that Jeep in the bottom photo is about to roll over, what was the outcome ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

THat Pic did NO justice. He got out the window of the jeep. The mud was ALMOST level with is window! Outcome was good, but we all about shat ourselves! I was the Jeep towing it, and there was not much room to tow in a direction beyond straight. We had about 4 guys pushing the other direction in the roof rack, hooked the strap to an anchor point which tried to pull it out the rut. it was scary situation!! Inthe end the guy gets out and gave me a frigg hug he was so excited I got him out in 1 peice! LOL!

I'll have to find more pics that show it better, You should see the VIDEO footage of me pulling that thing out, oh man! Took a few good snaps!! Mind you hat jeep has a 4 inch LIFT on it too..It was in good!

Mike

firefighteremt3100 · March 13, 2005

Your taking a big risk trying to pull someone out. All cars have hookup points but they all vary depending on manufacturer and sometimes even models. I work for a towing company so believe me when I say, I've seen what can happen when people try to be the "good samaritan" and end up having an outraged person throwing fists. Its not a good idea, thats why tow trucks were invented ;) Just my 2 cents worth.....